Cassian's De institutis coenobiorum

Cassian's De institutis coenobiorum
Johann Amerbach, 1485
CASSIANUS, Johannes (c.360-435). De institutis coenobiorum. –Collationes patrum XXIV. Basel: [Johann Amerbach, after 24 September] 1485.

First edition of an important work by the man who helped bring monasticism to western Christendom, in a contemporary monastic binding. Cassian here sets out the rules, requirements, and potential pitfalls of monastic life based on his experiences living as an ascetic in Palestine and Egypt. In 399 he sought refuge in Constantinople due to theological conflict and ended up serving in the retinue of Patriarch John Chrysostom. When Chrysostom himself fled into exile in 404, Cassian went to Rome for support and was invited to found a monastery on the Egyptian model in Gaul (present-day Marseille). His work was highly influential on Benedict of Nursia, whose Benedictine Rule has governed Western monastic communities for 1500 years. This edition also includes the second edition of Cassian’s Collationes—conversations on ascetic life from his time in Egypt. HC 4562*; GW 6160; BMC III 748; BSB-Ink C-165; Bod-inc C-102; Goff C-233; ISTC ic00233000.

Chancery folio (306 x 210mm). 208 leaves. One quarter-page woodcut (some scattered wormholes, a closed tear to margin of one leaf, faint dampstain at end, a few spots). Contemporary blind-ruled pigskin over wooden boards, clasp, brass catchplates, paper label at foot of spine, reused manuscript quire guards (losses to pigskin on rear board, worn, worming, one strap lacking). Provenance: Carthusian House of Urach-Güterstein (inscription) – Buxheim copy (stamp and inscription) – very faint stamp on front pastedown – acquired from Lathrop C. Harper, Inc, New York, 29 March 1957.